Francis, who led the Roman Catholic Church for 12 years, died at 7:35 a.m. on Easter Monday at his residence in the Vatican's Casa Santa Marta, according to an announcement.
"The cause of Pope Francis' death has been identified as a stroke, followed by a coma and irreversible cardiocirculatory collapse," the Vatican press office said in a statement later in the day.
Vatican doctor Andrea Arcangeli said in a medical report that the 88-year-old pontiff had a prior history of acute respiratory failure "caused by multimicrobial bilateral pneumonia, multiple bronchiectases, high blood pressure, and type-2 diabetes."
The pope died just hours after making an appearance in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican for Easter Sunday celebrations.
Arriving in a wheelchair, Francis waved from the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica to cheering crowds and said: "Dear brothers and sisters, Happy Easter."
Francis waves from the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica on Easter Sunday. Photo: EPA/ANGELO CARCONI
His traditional Easter address and blessing were read by an aide as he sat watching.
Trump to attend pope's funeral
The Vatican has not yet announced a date for the funeral, though it is expected to take place sometime between Friday and Sunday, the Reuters news agency reported.
US President Donald Trump has said he will attend the ceremony, which is expected to draw dozens of world leaders to Rome.
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Source: IAR, PAP, TVP Info, Vatican News, BBC, CNN